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Christian Gooden / St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP
Top NRA executive Wayne LaPierre Jr.
speaks at the gun-rights organization's annual meeting in St. Louis on Saturday.
ST. LOUIS -- A top National Rifle Association official on Saturday accused the media of sensationalizing the Trayvon Martin case and ignoring other crimes that happen across the country every day.
Speaking at the NRA’s annual meeting, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre didn't mention the Martin case by name during his speech. But he accused the media of "sensational” reporting from Florida and criticized coverage of gun issues in general.
"Everyday victims aren't celebrities. They don't draw ratings, don't draw sponsors. But sensational reporting from Florida does. In the aftermath of one of Florida's many daily tragedies, my phone has been ringing off the hook" with calls from reporters, he said.
LaPierre listed several killings in cities across the country, including one in St. Louis this week, that he said have been ignored as the media focused on the Martin case.
"You reporters, you don't care about those people," he said of the other victims.
The Trayvon Martin case has focused national attention on so-called "Stand Your Ground" laws in a number of states that provide broader grounds to claim a shooting was in self-defense.
Police in Florida initially declined to arrest George Zimmerman, the man who shot Martin, citing the state's law allowing the use of deadly force when a person feels threatened. A special prosecutor earlier this week charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder.
Poll: Most support NRA but also back gun limits
The NRA has been the chief backer of Stand Your Ground laws. Versions of these laws, also referred to as the "Castle Doctrine" because they allow citizens to use force protect their homes, are in effect in 30 states including Florida.
NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.
At the NRA annual meeting on Saturday, the organization celebrated its success in passing the laws, showing a video to the membership of a young mother in Oklahoma, Sarah McKinley, who shot dead a knife-wielding home invader on New Year's Eve.
Authorities decided not to charge her, citing the state's law allowing the use of force in self-defense.
"We always as members of the NRA Stand our Ground," LaPierre said.
Judge cites possible conflict of interest in Zimmerman case
Some gun-control advocates have seized on the Martin shooting to renew debate about guns. Officials with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence have pledged to use the case to fight proposed federal legislation that would force states with strict gun laws to recognize concealed weapons permits granted in other states that have fewer requirements.
"George Zimmerman is the NRA," the group's president, Dan Gross, said in a statement earlier this week. "And Florida's 'Shoot First, Ask Questions Later' law and the paranoid mentality it promotes are products of the NRA's vision for America, where just about anybody can get and use a gun just about anywhere."
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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She shot dead a knife-wielding home invader!? How could the authorities even consider charging her? I think the NRA is sensationalizing that story to draw attention to its gun-happy agenda.
its just obozo getting his base worked up...nothing more
James316346, how and why is it you state facts you could not possibly have discovered on your own and which do not match what the rest of the world heard on the news? Treyvon did not live there. He was a visitor and, for the most part, was a stranger to the folks in that community. You only know he had a tea and skittles because the news reported it. Beyond that you do not know what he may or may not have been doing to make someone suspicious. Neither do I. You said he was walking because that is what you heard the news say Treyvon's girlfriend said. As Z was talking to the dispatcher Z did tell the dispatcher T started running. You do not know if he ran or not. Neither do I. You said Z had no right to be carrying a gun. He has a permit to carry. That is established. He had left his house to go to the store himself. He had every right to carry his gun with him. It just happens that on his way to the store Z saw someone he did not recognize who he became suspicious of. The dispatcher has never said he told Z not to follow T. The dispatcher said, "We don't need you to do that." When the dispatcher said that, Z said, "Okay," and in all appearance seems to have stopped. Why and how is it that you state things differently than everyone knows they are?
No one, as far as I know, ever appointed George Zimmerman as Judge, Jury, and state authorized Executioner, or do you dispute those facts? Yet, he so appointed himself when he took the law into his own hands and now he is going to face the consequences. How many lynch mob movies will we have to watch before we all learn this lesson?
Obviously the state believes that Zimmerman continued to pursue Trayvon even after being told not to. Charges of murder in the second degree are not entered into lightly.
I understand how emotions and passions influence us in how we perceive and respond to life's situations. In an earlier post I mentioned T's mother. If only we could all be as strong, wise and benevolent as those two parents! You certainly are not the only person to not say it exactly as has been reported. And I know as well as anyone, I sure don't get it right all the time either. But through all this I have seen a tendency of people stating facts as that individual WANTS them to sound. It happens on both sides of the issue. My point is that I fear we as a nation are headed down a very dark and tragic path with the division seen arising from this event, and I hate to see it. A rush to judgement is a terrible thing. We should fight together to avoid this at all cost. You avoided my question. It's okay. I probably can figure where your coming from based upon your reply. Peace
So Z had a permit to carry. Florida's permit requirements must be much less strick than most States, normally no one can get a permit to carry if they have a police record-kinda makes one wonder right?
Roger 2468
So Z had a permit to carry. Florida's permit requirements must be much less strick than most States, normally no one can get a permit to carry if they have a police record-kinda makes one wonder right?
The only thing I see different in FL than other states, I have CCW in two, is they do NOT require any classroom in safety or the laws of the state.
Here are the requirements for FL CCW
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/cw_license_eligibility_requirements_web.pdf
I believe in Stand Your Ground Laws, when it takes 7 minutes to 21 minutes for a police officer to arrive on scene.
its obozo, getting his base all wigged out, which is easy to do. dependancy creates idiots
Much prefer to have a gun in a gun fight, then try to get my fat but to out run a bullet.
yea you never hear about all the black on black killings going on each day,, you only hear about a case when it fits the bigot Racist hate groups agenda. Then this MAN will never get a fair trial and this country should go on the attack of all the Racist pigs who lynched this case and even dis respected the dead boy with their selfish Idiot agendas..Funny how the biggest Racist pig in this country are always the ones screaming fowl and we saw that with the Million dollar bounty put out on Zimmerman by racist pigs who think they don't have to live by the laws of this country.. They are the true criminals in this case of selfish Racist Idiots and this country needs to cry fowl on their crimes of hate, crime of terror threats on the Zimmerman family.. Now lets start counting the black on black murderers that constantly terrorize our cities and nothing is ever said about that or done to stop it,, Idiot Racist would rather feed them cities with drugs and their sicknesses to make greedy gains.. Enough said,, you get my thoughts about this whole idiot Racist driven agenda coming from poor picked on babies again.,.
Well John there is a big difference between your opinion and the truth enjoy your opinion. ha!
Who are you talking about?
Note Zimmerman was on phone with dispatcher and was over 7 minutes before help arrived.
Here in Oklahoma City a lady was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher for 21 minutes. She even ask permission to shoot to protect herself and her baby. The intruder was dead by the time police arrived 21 minutes after she called.
Obama should worry when 95 % of blacks are murdered by other blacks. He is loosing potential voters when they have guns.
Pablito, you need a reality check. Guns are used over 2,000,000 times a year to stop or prevent a crime. That's more than 10 times the number of murders. Here's a link that will give you the FACTS that dispel the myths you are spouting:
www.gunfacts.info
If you feel that strongly about leaving the US, don't let the knob hit you where the dog shoulda bit you.
The NRA is exactly correct, there are hundreds of innocent white folks killed every year by minorities and nothing makes the news like this Zimmerman/Martin deal. That should have stayed a local news story instead of causing nation wide racial problems. Very few incidents like the Zimmerman/Martin deal happen and, at this point, we don't know what did, in fact happen. The blacks biggest problems are Sharpton and Jackson, those race baiters are the problem not a solution to anything. They need to keep their noses out of anything and just go fishing. To hell with their 15 minutes of fame. Remember Tawana Brawley, the young black gal in New York City who accused a NYPD officer of raping her? Man did Sharpton jump all over that standing up for her and denigrating the heck out of the NYPD and the accused officer. Then Tawana came forward and admitted that the had lied and that nothing at all had happened. Did we hear one word of apology from sharpton, hell no, he wasn't man enough to admit that he had been wrong.
Haleluiah brother! I have come to comfort the sinner and return the stray lamb to the fold. Let them without guns come unto me and be comforted. Let those who are paranoid. Let those who irrationally imagine thousands of criminals lurking outside of their peaceful loving homes waiting for their guard to drop, and then pounce. Be comforted. The Prince of Peace wants you to come unto me and be cleansed with gun powder. I will annoint you all with lead. Go in Peace.
Without the NRA we would be like the man in Tiananmen Square in China who was throwing rocks at a tank when it run over him. Absolute power corrupts absolutely...our forefathers got it and it is amazing how the supposedly more educated people today don't have a clue. For those too young to remember Tiananmen Square google it and see what happens when the people aren't allowed to have weapons.
Yeah. God forbid the media reports on something that calls into question the NRA position on weaponry. What a jerk! A kid is dead and he is ANGRY that folks are upset about it.
Wow, what a sicko you are!
That seems to describe George perfectly.
Georgie Porgie lies and deception
Now at a jail he will get his reception
He's going away soon for killing a kid
Oh Georgie Porgie just look what you did
this video tells you more than the whole media - just watch it from its start to the end:
I think that Zimmerman felt more than threatened and the whole story is just another attack on our freedom.
Why media is so shy to show a most recent photo of the killed guy and instead is trying hard to placate him as an innocent victim by showing his photo taken about 6-7 years ago?
If 'stand your ground' applied to this case, then it seems to me that it was the teenager, being stalked by a hothead who had no business carrying a gun that night or EVER, who was standing his ground.
Over 30,000 American die by firearms every year, about half of them suicides. If guns were not so readily available, most of them would not be dying this way (and leave out the false equivalency of deaths by auto, it is a separate matter).
The NRA is public enemy #1. It has created untold numbers of gun lovers who choose to live in fear and paranoia of attackers and invaders who are out to get them. I am glad I do not live my life this way, and I certainly do not feel the need to have a gun to feel safe and secure.
That gun kept inside the home is more likely to end up being used against its owner or a family member. Intelligent people know this. Owning a gun usually does NOT make one safer, or more patriotic than those who disdain guns and want nothing to do with them - it merely reveals their own insecurity.
"Over 30,000 American die by firearms every year, about half of them suicides"
Now we have to stop people from committing suicide? Really? Suicide is a personal choice, I have no right to stop that. If someone doesn't want to live, that is their choice. Oh yeah, thats right, we can't make our own choice. Suiciders should call their local official and ask if its ok.
would it make you feel better if they jumped out windows?
I totally support the NRA!
this one video:
""
will tell you more about the problem behind the Zimmerman case... Zimmerman just tried to defend ALL of us
somehow the messaging system drops my link to the video that I recommend everyone to watch.
This one:
""
and others by pastor Manning
@rotor700, you are probably as IGNORANT as your comment!!!!! And the more comments i see such as YOURS on these blogs, the more i am convinced of the "dumbing down" of some in America. Idiots like YOU wouldn't know the truth if it slapped you upside your head!!! NONE of this would have happened if Zimmerman had kept his a$$ IN THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First off, I'd like to say how badly the MSNBC Website is. It really bites.
Re:Zimmerman case.
Has anyone else noticed that none of the news media has used the word "alleged" one time in regards to Mr. Zimmerman??!! Nope, not once have I seen or heard it!
Any other time and anywhere else where the liberal press (Registered Democrats!) get involved with a big news story, they inevitably use the word "alleged rapist, killer, thief, bank robber,etc.". They never use phrases with a highly charged emotional content like they have in regards to Mr. Zimmerman's alleged acts against Martin. I heard the phrase on the radio, 'Pumped multiple bullets into his body', & by the way, never put the word alleged in there.
Strange, isn't it????????
LaPierre is a total ass and so are the gun crazy's that ar part of that organization.
After Obama looses in 2012 you had better be ready.
Atticus FINCH. Read The Report. Don"t Interpret it, scares form many hours or even days after an incident. what you saw were scratches and cuts, which, by the way, could have been self inflicted. Be more logical. Why would a mature person, someone who tried to get into the police force and therefore had some police training, and was carrying a loaded gun, simply turn around and walk away when he was the one in persuit. He admits he started the confrontation. The problem is not what Zimmerman did but rather what the crazy laws of Florida permitted him to do. The REAL FAULT lies with the I.R.A. They are the ones who patitioned and paid for this law. I have no fault with having guns. I don't want an orginization lobbying for and promoting laws that encourage gun owners to become vigilantes and executioners without any responsibilities for their actions. THE I.R.A. IS EVIL.
Yes, the terrorist arm of the Irish Republican Army was evil. The NRA however is an exceptional American resource, a force for good.
If the law was abused Zimmy will be wearing orange for a long time. If he is innocent, let him go in peace. Anything less on either side is un American.